Despite having the benefit of insights from 45 people of diverse expertise, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not settled on systemic explanations for instances in which airline pilots and air traffic controllers flouted regulations and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Potential elements of safety recommendations have emerged, however.
In remarks at the NTSB’s Professionalism in Aviation Safety Forum on May 18–20 in Washington, Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman cited seven U.S. accidents and serious incidents in 2004–2009 involving breakdowns in professionalism.
“We recognize that there are many industry professionals whose work, day-in and day-out, reflects the highest level of professionalism,” Hersman said. “While the Colgan Air [Flight 3407] accident investigation [ASW, 3/10, p. 20] was the impetus for this forum, many…
